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Gabe Connell MBA ’01 first had the idea to start a pizza business as an undergrad marketing student in Bloomington, Indiana, where he and his girlfriend (now wife) often shared a pie at their favorite local shop.

At one of Outreach Indiana’s program centers serving homeless youth and young adults in Indianapolis, Volunteer Experience Manager Jennifer Ebner watched a Butler student help a young person prepare for a job interview—brushing and styling their hair.

When Emerson Baran ’29 first envisioned her life in college, she realized most of her expectations came from movies and shows like Gilmore Girls. As a first-generation student, her future felt unclear; she wasn’t sure what campus life was truly like or which major might be right for her. 

The Butler Ambassador program, a new initiative led by the University’s Community Engagement office, invites alumni, parents, and friends to stay connected and advance Butler’s mission—no matter where they live.

Support from my student interns has been an invaluable part of the success of the Butler Blue Live Mascot Program. For over 15 years, they have kept me and my predecessors in a state of controlled chaos—getting us where we need to go, seeing who we need to see, and giving us snacks along the way.

After more than a decade climbing the NBA coaching ranks, Ron Nored ’12 is returning to the program where he helped author one of college basketball’s most memorable runs. Nored was the steady floor general behind back-to-back national championship game appearances under Brad Stevens, and now comes back to Hinkle Fieldhouse with a résumé shaped at the game’s highest level.

For David Ayers, a junior baseball player at Butler, in-season life is a constant test of balance—but it’s also preparation for the future.

Jeffrey Carvell ’06 graduated with a Butler Physics degree and a Purdue Electrical Engineering degree through Butler’s former Engineering Dual Degree Program (EDDP) partnership. Now, he’s thrilled to be “back home” for this new chapter for Butler Engineering. In August 2025, the University introduced its own Engineering program consisting of three majors within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering—set to launch in fall 2026.

Higher education stands at a crossroads—perhaps the most challenging in its history. The value of a college degree is questioned more than ever. Demographic shifts shrink the pool of traditional students. Artificial intelligence looms, promising disruption across nearly every profession. And financial pressures weigh heavily on families, institutions, and communities alike. This is where vision matters most. And Butler’s moment is now.

On Homecoming weekend, the Butler University Alumni Association honored eight individuals for their commitment to the University and to their communities. The highest of these honors, The Butler Medal, recognizes profound influence that has helped Butler continue to thrive as a leading educational and cultural institution.

Universities often highlight their strong option. But the real story lies beyond the percentages. As these alumni demonstrate, Butler equips students not only for successful careers but also for meaningful lives.

Butler University’s Lacy School of Business (LSB) is once again in the national spotlight. In the 2025 Poets&Quants Best Undergraduate Business Schools rankings, LSB was ranked No. 1 in the country for Effectiveness of Career Advising, No. 2 for Quality of Teaching, No. 8 for Best Undergraduate Academic Experience, No. 36 for Career Outcomes, and No. 48 overall among business schools. These results highlight the strength of an approach built on one simple principle: business education works best when students don’t just learn about it—they live it.